St. Paul Island is a small community of less than 335 people located about 300 miles from the mainland of Alaska. It is accessible only by air or vessel. The island has a rich cultural history, with influences from Aleut and Russian heritage. The island’s population is approximately 85% Aleut (Unangun) Native Alaskan. The Aleut people, indigenous to the region, have a deep-rooted connection to the island, and their cultural influence is still evident today.
St. Paul Island is known for its diverse wildlife, including many seabirds and fur seals. The island is part of the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge, making it a significant site for conservation and research. The remote community mainly relies on tourism and fishing for income. Over the past few years, the sizable crabbing facility has shut down, resulting in a need for a shift in the economic industry.
The Ray and its partners’ capacity-building assistance resulted in the identification and obtaining of several grants, including a monumental $4.6 million EPA grant to improve drinking water resilience, an $11 million Port Infrastructure Grant for integral dock renovations, and a Safe Streets For All grant, valued at $150,000, for supplemental planning activities. These grants significantly contributed to revitalizing the infrastructure and economy.